Shoes with a wide toe box?

[BeachBum]

My mom has the worst taste in shoes. Seriously. And now she has developed arthritis in her big toe making the ugly shoe problem even harder to rectify. She specifically needs shoes that are really wide through the toes, and have a very low heel. Overall her foot is narrow, so just getting the shoes in wide width doesn't solve the problem.
I would like to get her some shoes for Christmas (especially from somewhere that she could return them easily if they don't work like zappos). But I'm stumped on what would be good brands to look at.

I would really like to find a loafer/mule style that she could wear with capris or a casual skirt.
She is 55 and an elementary school teacher.

Any suggestions for brands or specific shoes? Feel free to post pics.

thanks!

[blazedog]

Dansko shoes are fairly wide in the toe box as they seem to follow the natural shape of one's feet and have a wide range of styles from their classic mules to cute Mary Jane type shoes.

[applecrisp]

I would suggest Merrell's. Not sure if they will run too wide for her but they are incredibly comfortable.

[Chefzhat]

Dansko, baby.

http://www.dansko.com/images/shoe_single/standard_812020202.jpg

I would never have survived teaching without these shoes. Great for standing all day and look great with everything. I even wear them with shorts in the summer.

These Merrells are cute with khakis:
http://i.onlineshoes.com/images/br009/95345_120_45.jpg


Nice slides (also Merrell)
http://i.onlineshoes.com/images/br009/103341_120_45.jpg

[tbb113]

I think Born also makes a wide toe box. Birkenstock makes shoes as well as sandals.

And if money is no object, Taryn Rose shoes are gorgeous and designed by an orthopedic surgeon

[cangoss]

Ecco also has some shoes with a wide toe box. I have arthritis in my feet and also very wide feet (even wider because the arthritis has made them spread). Danskos work for me as mentioned above, and I usually wear Munro for nicer work shoes. All of these brands are expensive, but worth the money and well worth it in the long run because of reduced pain and foot damage.

[mlynn]

What about shoes from Keen?http://www.keenfootwear.com/product_wall_page.cfm?catID=2&viewAll=1

[jmarie]

These are about the most comfortable shoes I have ever tried on. I am hoping that Santa ordered them for me for Christmas. If not, I plan to buy them myself. Lots of good reviews on them. They come in several colors. The company name is Naot and the shoe is Palma.


http://www.zappos.com/images/725/7252116/1396-280532-d.jpg

'Palma' is from the Allegro Collection by Naot®; shoes so comfy they'll have your feet singing!

Leather and suede upper features fun punch-cut and inlay detail.

Removable, leather lined insole adjusts to your feet like a footprint in the sand. This alignment improves within a short time so the feeling of comfort increases as time passes.

Anatomical support distributes the weight of the body equally over the entire foot, massaging and releasing pressures caused by other parts of the body.

Wide footbed allows the foot to rest and relax.

Polyurethane, shock-absorbent outsole enables the foot to move gently and continuously.

1" heel.

93% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe "Felt true to size".

93% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe "Felt true to width".

86% of Fit Survey respondents said this shoe had "Excellent arch support".

[Valerie226]

Another vote for Keen. all their shoes are wide in the front & very comfortable. Also Merrell and possibly Clark although I admit I haven't looked at any Clarks for a while.

[BeachBum]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, that gives me a good place to start!